Hampshire Life: February 2019 (^) 41
“I
t is challenging, it is
demanding, it can
be harrowing... But
ultimately, from my
point of view, and I’m probably
speaking for most of the team,
it’s the most rewarding work in
terms of making a difference
to patients’ lives,” so says John
Gamblin, Specialist Paramedic
Critical Care with Hampshire
& Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
(HIOWAA).
“Some days you go home and
think that’s it, I’ve had enough.
But I have a rest, talk to my
wife about a job if it has been
particularly upsetting, as indeed
I did last night, and the next
morning you’re up for it again.
It’s a very positive workplace
because of the team spirit we
have fostered.”
John started his paramedic
career in the Royal Navy before
joining the London Ambulance
Service and then moving
to Hampshire in 2008. He
completed his BSc in Paramedic
Practice at Portsmouth University
and is now studying towards an
MSc at Southampton. He is just
one of a very highly skilled team.
“All the paramedics on
the team are committed to
undertaking Masters in Advanced
Practice at Southampton as part
of our Critical Care programme.
It is about upskilling. We are
all very experienced, but to
perform at the level required
we have a robust programme of
education which is a combination
of professional courses, in
children’s trauma for instance,
and academic subjects such as
pharmacology. A lot of the time,
days off are taken up with study
or doing something for the base.
My job is also my hobby. I thought
that was a bit tragic at one point,
but I now see it as a good thing
that I enjoy my job that much.”
Last year HIOWWA undertook
a staggering 8208 missions:
approximately a third were road
traffic collisions; a quarter were
7+(
5(6&8(56
‘Ordinary People Extraordinary Care’ may be the slogan
for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s team – but
EMMA CAULTON reckons they are superheroes
AIR AMBULANCE
ABOVE: Seven
new paramedics
joined the team
last December
after a new three-
way partnership
was formalised
between
HIOWAA,
University
Hospital
Southampton
(Major Trauma
Centre for the
southern region)
and South Central
Ambulance
Service (SCAS) on
1 November 2018
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